Alderman Who Proposed Scrapping IPRA Glad To Hear Mayor Emanuel's Plan
CHICAGO (CBS) -- A South Side alderman who proposed doing away with the much-criticized Independent Police Review Authority in the wake of the Laquan McDonald case said Saturday morning she was surprised to learn the mayor is planning to do just that, reports WBBM's Mike Krauser.
Fifth Ward Alderman Leslie Hairston, who proposed doing away with IPRA and replacing it with what she called the Independent Citizen Police Monitor, said this is a political victory for the Black Caucus and a victory for all of Chicago.
Hairston says the problem with IPRA is, "They have no credibility…in spite of all the things that have taken place in the city of Chicago, they have never found any wrongdoing."
As of late last year, more than 400 shootings were investigated, and the agency ruled all but two cases were justified shootings.
"I think people are frustrated," Hairston said. "People are mad. They are paying their tax dollars and they are not getting anything and the people that are supposed to serve and protect are not serving and protecting."
In an op-ed piece in the Chicago Sun Times, the mayor says the new system for police accountability and oversight will be driven by, "independence, integrity, transparency and citizen participation."
"I'm glad that the mayor has taken the step in the right direction towards putting us on the right path," Hairston said.